San Francisco shows the way - It’s time to ban plastic bottles

We are not slow to celebrate our new enthusiasm for change. Votes to legalise marriage equality and abortion are the major milestones in that journey, but before those Everests were conquered, two modest advances suggested the wind was changing.

The levy on plastic bags and the ban on smoking in public spaces were revolutionary. They showed an assertiveness that may have waned. We have dined out on those enough-is-enough measures for so long that, despite their great value, it takes on the character of fading virtue signalling. It seems time to take another step to confront our weaker instincts so a greater cause might be served.